Yeah, I think it could happen. This tournament always brings out the best of many european and latin american stars. Somebody might be able to slip-by to finals...

Outside of nadal and federer, who could be a surprise final contendors?

oscar_2424

05-25-2006, 07:35 PM

Luis horna:) :mrgreen:

Dan007

05-25-2006, 07:36 PM

Gasquet, if he starts playing well again. Ever since coming back from the injury, he's not been playing good at all. If he can be regular himself again, he's a serious contendor on clay.

LowProfile

05-25-2006, 07:37 PM

There are many surprise winners at the French and Acasuso and Almagro are streaking right now, but this year Nadal and Federer are far to dominant to have a surprise winner. Chances are low that ONE of them will get knocked out before the final, much less both. And in the final, unless they're playing each other, neither will lose.

ACE of Hearts

05-25-2006, 08:11 PM

I hope they meet again, seriously does anyone care too see Acasuso vs Horna or whateva other matches?Maybe Andres or Oscar.:)

TokyopunK

05-25-2006, 08:12 PM

Donald Young??? If he qualifies.........

snoflewis

05-25-2006, 08:12 PM

im hoping safin has one of these amazing runs like the '05 AO

wyutani

05-25-2006, 08:15 PM

gaudio mate',,,;)

Andres

05-25-2006, 08:19 PM

Acasuso has been my dark horse since EVER!!! So my choice is Acasuso, naturally ;)

splink779

05-25-2006, 08:22 PM

Gasquet is going to one day win a slam out of nowhere and then decline once more into darkness forever...

Bogie

05-25-2006, 08:26 PM

the only people that i can picture giving nadal and fed some trouble would be nalbandian, gaudio, and almagro. besides fed and nadal, those guys have been the next best thing on clay and if i could pick anybody else besides fed or nadal to win it, it would be one of those three guys.

hoosierbr

05-25-2006, 08:46 PM

Gasquet may not even play this year - he reinjured his right elbow and is now questionable.

I don't see a Federer-Nadal final. Sorry, I just can't imagine both guys winning six matches in the most unpredictable slam. One will make the final and the other won't. My opinion at least.

Someone could spring a suprise - Davydenko (reached SF last year), Gaudio, Nalbandian, Acasuso, Almagro, Ferrero, Moya, Gonzalez, Massu. There's plenty of talent out there just a matter of how the draw opens up.

EDIT: Gasquet's coach confirms he will play.
http://www.sportsmediainc.com/tennisweek/index.cfm?func=showarticle&newsid=15370&bannerregion=
Hewitt also got good news from his MRI scan.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19243947-23216,00.html

FEDEXP

05-25-2006, 09:37 PM

"the only people that i can picture giving Nadal and Fed some trouble would be Nalbandian, Gaudio, and Almagro. besides Fed and Nadal, those guys have been the next best thing on clay and if i could pick anybody else besides Fed or Nadal to win it, it would be one of those three guys". Bogie

I agree, though Roland Garros is known for sneak winners. I'd like to see Robredo in the mix as well....

Dan007

05-25-2006, 09:37 PM

Gasquet may not even play this year - he reinjured his right elbow and is now questionable.

I don't see a Federer-Nadal final. Sorry, I just can't imagine both guys winning six matches in the most unpredictable slam. One will make the final and the other won't. My opinion at least.

Someone could spring a suprise - Davydenko (reached SF last year), Gaudio, Nalbandian, Acasuso, Almagro, Ferrero, Moya, Gonzalez, Massu. There's plenty of talent out there just a matter of how the draw opens up.

EDIT: Gasquet's coach confirms he will play.
http://www.sportsmediainc.com/tennisweek/index.cfm?func=showarticle&newsid=15370&bannerregion=
Hewitt also got good news from his MRI scan.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19243947-23216,00.html

Damn it!:mad: He is getting way too many injuries at a young age. He has gotten 3-4 bad injuries since U.S. Open.

arosen

05-25-2006, 10:25 PM

Nalby, for sure. He is not afraid of anyone anymore, and he is way overdue for a slam.

tennus

05-26-2006, 05:52 AM

Gasquet is going to one day win a slam out of nowhere and then decline once more into darkness forever...

Yes it would not surprise me if Gasquet won RG. At 15 he was touted the same way as Nadal, and at times has proven his ability against the best(Federer). He certainly has more talent than many top 20 players. ;)

mislav

05-26-2006, 06:10 AM

Le Roi de Roland Garros 2006 est... ...Ivo Karlovic! :mrgreen:

Andres

05-26-2006, 06:11 AM

Le Roi de Roland Garros 2006 est... ...Ivo Karlovic! :mrgreen:
He meets with Nadal eventually in 4th round!! That's one heck of a matchup!! :mrgreen:

legolas

05-26-2006, 06:13 AM

almagro probably

unjugon

05-26-2006, 07:57 AM

Nalby, for sure. He is not afraid of anyone anymore, and he is way overdue for a slam.
For starters, Nalby lost to Berdych and Volandri 2 sets to 0 both matches last week.

ACE of Hearts

05-26-2006, 08:00 AM

Acasuso already has a tough match with Santoro.All the french fans will be cheering for the Magician.:mrgreen:

Honestlybad

05-26-2006, 08:02 AM

Donald Young??? If he qualifies.........

Please tell me this is a joke...

aramis

05-26-2006, 01:34 PM

Gasquet may not even play this year - he reinjured his right elbow and is now questionable.

I don't see a Federer-Nadal final. Sorry, I just can't imagine both guys winning six matches in the most unpredictable slam. One will make the final and the other won't. My opinion at least.

Someone could spring a suprise - Davydenko (reached SF last year), Gaudio, Nalbandian, Acasuso, Almagro, Ferrero, Moya, Gonzalez, Massu. There's plenty of talent out there just a matter of how the draw opens up.

EDIT: Gasquet's coach confirms he will play.
http://www.sportsmediainc.com/tennisweek/index.cfm?func=showarticle&newsid=15370&bannerregion=
Hewitt also got good news from his MRI scan.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19243947-23216,00.html
Not that I want to see another Fed/Nadal match(in fact I would hate to), but its not a big deal for both to win six matches in a row. Remember last year, they both won five matches, so they would just have to top last year's effort by just one more match to play each other again this year.

hoosierbr

05-26-2006, 02:48 PM

I'm not saying they can't, I just don't think they will. Don't like Federer's draw. Nadal doesn't have as many land mines awaiting him but anything can happen in Paris.

Breaker

05-26-2006, 03:20 PM

But it's not the visible land mines, it's the hidden ones that come as the biggest threats.

Max G.

05-26-2006, 03:54 PM

Acasuso already has a tough match with Santoro.All the french fans will be cheering for the Magician.:mrgreen:

Allez Fabrice!

pound cat

05-26-2006, 04:03 PM

And the unexpected winner of Roland Garros 2006 is, believe it or not

******...........**********

Breaker

05-26-2006, 04:28 PM

You're just going to edit that post when it's all over aren't you? Lol. I want to see Hewitt get to the 4th round to face Nadal. He would probably get destroyed since it's on clay but I want to see how Hewitt can handle that topspin so well.

Feņa14

05-26-2006, 05:57 PM

I would say Ferrero too but I don't really think that would be a surprise.

He's seeded and an ex-winner who is due a win soon so why not here?

Nieminen has also had a great year some maybe he could make a strong challenge.

If your looking for someone totally random then I suppose I would go for Volandri.

Breaker

05-26-2006, 06:41 PM

I think Olivier Rochus has a chance to go far, not win, but get to maybe the semis as he has a great draw.

wyutani

05-26-2006, 06:43 PM

I think Olivier Rochus has a chance to go far, not win, but get to maybe the semis as he has a great draw.

you have great taste my friend...:mrgreen:

arosen

05-26-2006, 06:50 PM

Yeah, Oliver Rochus has been playing really well so far, he should at least make it to the 4th round. I would love to see Karlovic play Nadal, circus is back in town, yeah!

Feņa14

05-26-2006, 06:56 PM

I'm going for the person in wyutani's avatar.

Now that would be a surprise!! :D

oscar_2424

05-26-2006, 09:21 PM

I hope they meet again, seriously does anyone care too see Acasuso vs Horna or whateva other matches?Maybe Andres or Oscar.:)
what a final!!!